Gran and Opa depart, playgroup x 2, bees and wasps attack

Greg spent his Monday morning hanging out with his Opa and Gran. They departed after he went down for his first nap. We all had a great time during the visit! Thank you to Mom and Dad for all of their help!

Monday was a busy playgroup day and Greg's naps were timed to near perfection. We met up with some friends at Panera for lunch. Then we met up again with two of the three mommy/baby combos and several others for a walk on a local greenway.

Lately we have noticed that some carpenter bees and wasps have been hanging out on our back deck. We'd rather that they were not there because:

1. I am allergic to yellow jackets and I don't want to find out if I'm allergic to any other stinging things
2. The dogs try to eat them

Andrew took it upon himself to protect his family. Armed with a fly swatter, he entered into battle on the deck. By the end he had killed a wasp and two carpenter bees, the last one with a "Chase Utley mid-air strike."

Looking all grown up!

Gran and Opa's visit: Sunday recap

Sunday started off how it often does when company visits - breakfast at Brigs!

Dad's main project of the day was installing a gate at the top of the stairs. The moulding on the wall and near the floor made this endeavor it more difficult. It required him to add pieces of wood behind the gate attachments. This is the kind of challenge that he seems to love, and I am more than willing to let him enjoy it!

The rest of us spent some time outside in the afternoon. Greg went swinging, Mom and I tied up and prune some roses, and Andrew tended to the yard - mostly weeding along the fence. Hank went outside too - all 5% of himself.

"What? This is comfy!"

Andrew and I made a rare trip to the grocery store together without the boy. It feels weird going anywhere without Greg!

Mom and I went to Fresh Market later to pick up chicken and beef pot pies for dinner. They were pretty good!

Gran and Opa's visit: Saturday recap

Mom and I started off Saturday morning by going to a consignment sale in Apex. We found some nice shirts and shorts for Greg. Andrew went to play football, so Dad and Greg held down the fort for a while. (Andrew found out that this was the last day of football for a while. The "bumblebee" kiddie soccer takes over the field next week.)

Our friends Jess and Mark came to visit in the afternoon. Greg enjoyed playing with them and the adults enjoyed good conversation. I also made an awe-inspiring Duplo pyramid - everyone was impressed I'm sure!

After Greg's nap we headed out to Lowe's hardware and then to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. Greg made his first appearance on a meal bill even though he didn't eat any of their food (under 2 eat free). He did do a good job eating his pureed veggies from home.

It was soon time for Greg's bedtime when we got home. Gran read to him before he went to sleep.

"Simon James Alexander Ragsdale the Third"

Mom, Dad, and I headed out again afterward - Lowe's trip #2 for Dad and TJ Maxx / Home Goods for the ladies. For Greg, I found some swim shirts and a outfit that has swimming floats sewn in. He is set on water gear now!

Meeting with friends, Gran and Opa arrive, birthday cake

On Friday, we were to meet with two of my friends around 11:30 AM. I warned them that Greg's napping schedule is shifting, so that we might be late. We arrived at 12:25 PM. They were very kind to be that flexible! We met to discuss the Girl Scout backpacking trip that the three of us are leading in June. I am really looking forward to it!

My parents arrived for a weekend visit in the 4:00 hour. Greg was sleeping when they got here, so we were as quiet as we could be. When he woke up, he was a little weary of our company, but he warmed up to them quickly!

We walked up to Five Guys for dinner. It was a nice temperature outside for the stroll there and back.

After our return, it was soon Greg's bed time. Gran and Opa helped get him ready for bed and read his book to him. He showed off his new talent - turning the pages!

Mom made Andrew a red velvet cake for his birthday. After the quickest rendition of "Happy Birthday" that I could mumble, we dug in to it for dessert.

We finished off the evening watching the DVRed nightly news and an episode of Dirty Jobs.

I forgot to download Mom's pictures from the weekend on to my computer before they left, so I won't have many pictures to post!

St. Patrick's Day, playgroup, "new" toy, standing in crib

Sorry that I am so far behind on my daily recaps. My parents were visiting this weekend and I was spending time with them instead of in front of the computer!

Last Thursday was St. Patrick's Day. Greg and I did our part by wearing green shirts.

We went to a playgroup get-together at a friend's house. She made brunch for the mamas and it was delicious! I also brought my festive green-sprinkled snickerdoodles. Greg enjoyed exploring a new environment to crawl in. We had a wide range of ages again - I love to watch all of the different stages!

On the move in new territory

The weather was gorgeous and the dog enjoyed time on the deck.

Happy to be shaved down

Sunlight = Hank approved

I had time to clean up one of the toys that I picked up on Wednesday. Greg enjoyed playing with the new item while I tidied up the house for my parents' arrival on Friday.

"This toy is fun!"

Now Greg really likes to stand up in his crib and he can even stand in the sleep sack!

"Standing up in here is a piece of cake!"

41 Weeks

Busy Wednesday

Wednesday was a busy busy day for me.

7:15 AM - Wake up, eat breakfast, get ready.
8:15 AM - Greg wakes up, feed Greg.
8:30 AM - Pack up dogs in the truck.
8:45 AM - Bathe Scout and Hank.
9:45 AM - Shave Max.
11:15 AM - Bathe Max.
12:15 PM - Drive back home with the dogs.
12:30 PM - Feed Greg.
12:45 PM - Collect all of the dog beds to wash them.
1:05 PM - Take shower.
1:25 PM - Leave for NE Raleigh.
2:05 PM - Meet up with woman to pick up her Craig's List items (toys for Greg).
2:15 PM - Drive home.
2:45 PM - Hang up the dog beds to dry.
3:00 PM - Eat "lunch."

The rest of the day was more laid back. We went on a walk with the dogs around 4:30 PM. I also made snickerdoodle cookies after Greg went to sleep.

Thank you so much to my wonderful husband for working from home so that he could take care of Greg while I was busy with everything!

Lesson learned on traveling that distance for a Craig's List deal - too far!

Max's haircut process:

Before

Lion cut
Don't worry, it was very temporary!

"Roar!" says Max the lion.

After

Boxing up clothes, exploration and conquest

Tuesday was another odds and ends day around the house. Now that I had Greg's little clothes in the appropriate piles, it was time to organize (sleepers, onesies, pants) and then box them up. It seemed like my boxes weren't where I left them...

"I'm going to move this box for you, Mama."

"How do you like it over here?"

Then my "help" decided to go exploring.

"Let's see what is down this way."

"What an interesting contraption! Your foot won't stop me from touching it!"

Moving on...

I was able to keep him occupied by bringing in toy kitchen reinforcements.

"Where are all of my veggies? I could go for some sweet potatoes right now."

In the end he did help with boxing everything up.

"Here, Mama, this box is ready!"

We headed downstairs after we finished tidying up Greg's room. The rest of my day was spent keeping him out of trouble. Pulling on the speaker, the jumperoo, the diaper bag, and Max's tail are all too much fun!

The speaker shudders in fear

Not how the jumperoo is typically used

Diaper bag acquired. Eyeing up next conquest. Hank tries to act cool.